Why we need climate justice for a net zero future
Dr Clare Richardson-Barlow, argues that climate action must meet the needs of all communities to effectively tackle the global climate crisis.
Climate justice is vital to the transition to a net-zero economy — in which we cut net greenhouse gas emissions to as close to zero as possible.
A just transition requires that the costs and benefits of climate action be distributed fairly, considering the needs and perspectives of all communities and groups.
By ensuring that the transition to a net-zero economy is equitable and inclusive, climate justice can help build broader social and political support for climate action, while lowering the risk of social and political conflicts.
What is climate justice
Climate justice is based on the idea that the impacts of climate change are not felt equally by all people and communities around the world, and that there is a responsibility to address these unequal impacts.
It also acknowledges that some groups, particularly those that are historically disadvantaged and marginalized, are disproportionately impacted by climate change, for example via extreme weather events, sea level rise, drought, or famine.
Climate justice is about the fair distribution of both the costs and benefits of action on climate change. This includes the need to address the root causes of human-induced climate change, such as environmental impacts of industrialisation and our take-make-waste economic model, as well as the need to support those who are most vulnerable to its ongoing impacts.
Climate justice also recognises that future generations will be impacted by the decisions and actions society takes today. As a university community of many thousands of young people — when we consider our responsibility to future generations, here and abroad, the importance of shifting our net zero ambitions to include climate justice looms even larger.
At the University of Leeds, we have committed to an ambitious target to reach net zero emissions by 2030, as part of our Climate Plan. Our cross-disciplinary research in the field of just transitions and other climate research is feeding directly into the delivery of the Plan. Equity and diversity run through all our work, whether it is happening at a local, regional, or international level.
Opportunities for Change
Embracing climate justice provides an opportunity to promote equitable solutions to the climate crisis, by considering the needs and perspectives of all affected communities. This includes a focus on the rights of indigenous peoples, women, ethnic minorities, and other marginalized groups who are often disproportionately affected by climate change.
Climate justice also emphasizes the importance of democratic participation, and the need for communities to have a voice in the decision-making processes that impact their lives and their environments.
In practical terms, climate justice can help to ensure that the transition to a net-zero economy does not leave behind vulnerable communities or worsen existing inequalities. For example, a just transition in the UK may involve measures such as providing retraining for workers in industries that will be affected by the shift to a low-carbon economy, ensuring access to affordable clean energy for low-income households, and investing in public transportation to reduce the dependence on cars.
Transfer of technology and resources
Globally, climate justice recognizes the historic responsibility that developed countries must take for climate change, and the disproportionate impacts of climate change on emerging markets, the global south, and marginalized communities.
As such, our national approach to climate justice must promote the transfer of financial and technological resources from developed to emerging markets, and support efforts to build resilience and adapt to the impacts of climate change on an international level.
This is also particularly important in relation to international research on climate change, as researchers like me are working in emerging markets to aid the transition to net zero while also balancing the quality of life improvements that come with responding to challenges like energy access and poverty. For example, how do governments balance increasing worldwide access to electricity with reductions in oil or gas use? As researchers, we may work to examine this challenge, while also lifting up the voices of those in these regions.
On a local, university community level, this means ensuring all groups associated with the University of Leeds are considered, from our staff, students, and faculty to the businesses and suppliers we engage with.
International Cooperation
Fundamentally, international cooperation is crucial to achieving a just transition to net zero. Climate change is a global challenge that requires collective action and coordination across countries and regions. Without international cooperation, it is unlikely that we will be able to achieve the necessary reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to achieve net zero, failing to limit global warming and preventing the worst impacts of climate change.
International cooperation recognises the historic responsibility of developed countries for climate change, the disproportionate impacts of climate change on developing countries and marginalized communities. And it takes responsibility for addressing these inequalities by sharing financial and technological resources where they are needed.
Climate justice helps to ensure that our transition to net zero is equitable, inclusive, and does not leave behind vulnerable communities. At the University of Leeds, our research and teaching already sets an example, and we are working towards making sure our approach to climate change and net zero does the same.
If the UK can place climate justice at the forefront of our national approach, then we can build broad-based support for climate action while addressing social and economic inequalities, promoting global equity, and ultimately help to achieve the necessary reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to limit global warming.
By working together with the global south and setting ambitious targets, we can reduce the disproportionate impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities and ensure a fair and equitable transition to a low-carbon economy.